Well I finally stopped putting it off and had my cambelt done on Thursday.

The old water pump had a crack right across the impeller, so not a moment too soon!

The car was built in April 2004, so I'm a few months past the four year mark but only 73,500km covered (46,000 miles).

Cost was rather painful:

Spark plugs: $100 (bought in UK)

Cambelt, water pump, tensioners etc $520 (mostly bought in UK)

Oil and filter $120

Labour $660

Total $1400 = about 500 quid at current exchange rates.

Still over $500 less than the dealer quote though

Glad you got it in time.

It's getting rare to hear of these coming out in one piece!

Glad you got it in time.

It's getting rare to hear of these coming out in one piece!

Im glad someone bought this up... I am slightly concerned about my water pump, I have the cam belt changed about 6000 miles ago, but I didnt get the pump done at the same time. Just lately I have noticed a noise from under the bonnet...

Would a water pump make a noise before it packs up, is there any thing to look out for?

Thanks Chris

Would a water pump make a noise before it packs up, is there any thing to look out for?

The classic water pump sound is a whistling noise from worn bearings. But the VAG plastic impeller just snaps without a sound I guess?

BTW Rob, that was a shocking bill. I've always thought repair costs in Sweden was awful, but I've just changed cambelt + pump + oil/filter + a new caliper and new brake pads front + a few small fixes, £500 for the package. OK, a vRS is slightly more complicated than an old Felicia, but still...

Mines booked in for tomorrow.

I'll post back when ive had the bill, if I havent died of shock.

This month my beloved Octavia is testing my loyality, this close to Christmas.

Road tax for 12 months @ £210

Ive just has the phone call from the Skoda Dealer (Bickertons in Sheffield).

The shooping list:

60K Major Service (mileage approx 32k, 54 plate VRS)

Cam Belt

Water Pump

Tensioner

Brake Fluid

Hydralic Tensioner

MOT

Front Discs (MOT Advise)

Front Wishbone Bush's (MOT Advise)

Anti Roll Bar Collars (MOT Advise)

2 x Front Indicator Bulbs (MOT Advise)

Thats one hell of a bill. £1,271.59 to be exact:eek:

The joys of motoring

Holy F***

Thats one heck of a bill. Thankfully my Tensioner belt snapped a couple of months ago so also bought a new tensioner and will NOT be replacing it at the cambelt service which is next time round.

Edited 25 November, 200817 yr by DGW
No need for quote.

Just done my cambelt last saturday on my vrs at bang on 60,000 miles.Bought the belt damper and tensioner off egay for £41 and my mate who is in the trade got me a waterpump for £21.My mate fitted it all for nothing and put in new antifreeze[robbed from work] so the whole job set me back £62.A bargain i think:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Just got a full service (62k miles 2001 1.4 Petrol Octavia) including cam belt & water pump for €520. Cam belt Kit was €165 and water pump €60. I was happy enough with the price considering teh local Skoda 'Stealer' quoted €700 for the Cam belt and pump on its own.

One question though ...... should the water pump replacement be obvious or is it something completely internal to the engine? I was expecting to see a shinny new bit bolted somewhere to the engine but its not obvious!

Just done my cambelt last saturday on my vrs at bang on 60,000 miles.Bought the belt damper and tensioner off egay for £41 and my mate who is in the trade got me a waterpump for £21.My mate fitted it all for nothing and put in new antifreeze[robbed from work] so the whole job set me back £62.A bargain i think:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Cambelt kit £48 (trade price),damper £70,and £20 for water pump,so it looks like you got a good deal there mate,asuming they are genuine parts and not Taliban replicas.

Cambelt kit £48 (trade price),damper £70,and £20 for water pump,so it looks like you got a good deal there mate,asuming they are genuine parts and not Taliban replicas.

Not genuine mate but made by Gates which isnt bad stuff:thumbup:

Well I finally stopped putting it off and had my cambelt done on Thursday.

The old water pump had a crack right across the impeller, so not a moment too soon!

The car was built in April 2004, so I'm a few months past the four year mark but only 73,500km covered (46,000 miles).

Cost was rather painful:

Spark plugs: $100 (bought in UK)

Cambelt, water pump, tensioners etc $520 (mostly bought in UK)

Oil and filter $120

Labour $660

Total $1400 = about 500 quid at current exchange rates.

Still over $500 less than the dealer quote though

Had mine done recently at a garage in Bradford, cost quite a bit less than yours. Car's similar age & milage, mechanic showed me the old water pump & cam belt.

There was a small crack in the impeller on the water pump & the cambelt was starting to fray:eek: